Controller



Dec. 23, 1941. B. ULlNSKl I ,3

CONTROLLER Filed Feb. 3, 1938 10 Sheets-Sheet l I 01/60, for" Dec. 23, 1941.

B. ULINSKI 2,267,381

CONTROLLER Filed Feb. s, 1958 10 Sheets-Sheet s iiilligilll i! ":'ibi 2 9 2 E 33 LE Jaye/www B.UUN$M CONTROLLER Dec. 23, 1941.

Filed Feb. 3, 1938 10 Sheets-Sheet 4 mmw In (/6 nio f:

B. ULINSKI CONTROLLER Dec. 23, 1941 Filed Feb. 3, 1938 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 Jams/z 2901*:

Dec. 23, 1941.

Filed Feb. 5, 1938 B. ULINSKI CONTROLLER 10 SheetsSheet 7 fave/afa Dec. 23, 194 1. L N 2,267,381

CONTROLLER Filed Feb. 3, 1938 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 -Speeqi Corzzffol in ill Dec. 23, 1941. B. UUNSKI 2,261,381 I, CONTROLLER Filed Feb. 3, 1938 10 Sheets-Sheet 9 fave/22 07".-

Dec. 23, 1941. B. ULINSKI 7 2,267,381

I CONTROLLER Filed Feb. 3, 1938 10 Sheets-Sheet 10 Patented Dec. 23, 1941 OFFICE 2,267,381 CONTROLLER Bronisiaus Ullnskl, Chicago, assignor to The Yale ,3; Towne Manufacturing Company, Stamford, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Application February 3, 1938, Serial No. 188,511

23 Claims.

This invention relates to a controller of the type used in an electric industrial truck.

. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate the rough handling which such controllers receive, and will therefore understand the need for a special design. In the contrm my invention, I have departed from the usual construction standard in the art, and am utilizing a stationary drum instead of a movable drum for carrying the various speed contact segments. Becausethe movable elements of my controller are relatively light and simple, my construction contributes very smooth operation of the moving contact members into their various speed positions. It will be well to indicate that my controller does, however, have the usual arrangement of a speed controller with its contacts, and a direction controller with its contacts.

The moving contact members which I have developed to be utilized in connection with the combination just set forth, both for the speed and direction controller portions, are extremely novel and allow for smooth operation, with no' appreciable wear. my controller are of special interest. The copper segments forming the contact elements thereof are adapted to be molded into an insulated base at the time of the manufacture of the base. The arrangement is such furthermore, that the usual contact pigtails are eliminated and fiat contact strips substituted therefor, and also united with the base when the base is molded. The molded base carrying the contacts is itself formed so as to be readily secured in the controller casing.

As an important feature of my new controller, the movable speed controller contacts are arranged for movement both by a foot pedal and by a manually operated lever, there being means whereby the speed contacts will tend to move into -neutral position immediately upon the lifting of the foot pedal to a predetermined Position.

A most important feature of my invention is the means for preventing arcing through the seg ments forming the various contact members. This is accomplished by incorporating in each of the speed circuits a contactor circuit, the contactor circuit being itself arranged to be closed just after the contacts are placed in first speed and just prior to the release of the contacts for movement from an advanced speed position into neutral speed. Since the closing of the contactor circuit follows the closing of the first speed circuit, and since the opening of the contactor circuit precedes the opening of any speed cir- The stationary portions of cult, it follows that all arcing takes place in the contactor circuit.

iii

In connection with this construction, I make it necessary to move my movable-contact members slowly through the various speeds. This I do by placing the contactor circuit in the first speed circuit, and by utilizing an electro-magnetic relay in the contactor circuit which is slowof operation, and which therefore requires the maintenance of its circuit through the-first speed contacts for a predetermined period of time in order that it may fully operate to close the contactor circuit, and thereafter close its own circuit independently of the first speed contact members. In operating my controller, the operator will therefore be required to put the controller in first speed and keep it there for a short interval, then go on to the various speeds.

In this same connection, once the contactor circuit is opened, which happenswhenever it is desired to go from a higher speed to a lower speed as I point out below, I make it impossible to close the contactor circuit except by the movement of the controller back into a first speed position. This operation is important, because, as I have already indicated, I find it desirable to prevent the movement of the speed controller contacts from an advanced speed position to a less advanced speed position and then to an advanced speed position once again, without first breaking the contactor circuit and starting from first speed. Therefore, because my contactor circuit may only be closed, once it is broken, by the placing of the speed controller contacts into first speed position, it follows that the operator will be required to go into first speed whenever he cuts down the speed of the truck and desires to pick up speed once again.

Thus, for example, if the truck is running along in fourth speed and the operator Wishes to go into second speed, he will have to return the speed controller to neutral, and thereafter go through first speed back into second, pausing a sufficient length of time in first speed to allow the operation of the contactor to close the contactor controlled portion of the speed circuits, and for perpetuating the contactor circuit independently of the first speed contacts thereafter.

In order to obtain the operation Just described, I arrange for a foot pedal to operate the movable speed contacts through a one-way connection, the pedal being adapted to move the speed con-- tacts fromneutral position through the several speed positions, but being movable in a reverse direction independently of the speed contacts. I

which will only take place after the contactorcircuit is opened by the said foot pedal.

It may be well to indicate atthis time that the I initial downward. movement of the speed contacts by the foot pedal will act to move the speed contacts into first speed position, and thereafter, while the contacts are in first speed position, will close the contactor circuit through the operation of anappropriate-switch.

In cooperation with my speed controller, I utilize a direction controller, this combination being a usual one in the art, as I have already indicated. My direction controller is of the same general construction as my speed controller, us; ing similar types of movable and stationary contact members.- I have an interlocking arrangement between my speed controller and direction controller which is of the same general type well known in the art, but is of a new specific construction which will be described and hereinafter claimed.

As an additional feature of my invention, I arrange for the speed controller contact members closing a circuit'when in neutral position, and

with the direction controller in an appropriate directional position. The armature of the truck will be caused to act as a generator under such circumstances, forcing current through a portion of the traction resistance. In effect, the motor acts as a built-in dynamic brake under such conditions, whereby to control the speed of the truck down hills or down ramps, as will be readily perceived by those skilled in the art.

In addition to the various features which I have now described generally, there are many other important contributions incorporated in my new controller which will be described in con nection with the detailed description which follows, and which will be claimed thereafter. I believe that the general discussion of the more important features of my invention will be helpful in an understanding of the detailed description which follows in connection with the drawings wherein a preferred specific embodiment of my invention is shown.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a front view of the operator's platform of an electric industrial truck, showing my controller applied thereto and connected to .the foot control pedals of the truck. Fig. 2 is a partial section and side view of the construction shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a front view of my controller taken from Fig. 1 and with the front cover plate thereof removed. Fig. 4 is a section taken along lines 4--4 of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a side view of the right end of the controller looking at Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a section taken along lines 8-8 of Fig. 3. Fig. 7 is a section taken through the casing of my controller and showing the main carrying shaft and the speed controller sleeve and its arms, and the direction controller sleeve and its arms, mounted thereon. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a pair of moving contact members, while Fig. 9 is a section through lines 9'9 of Fig. 8. Fig. 10 is a view taken along lines III-I0 of Fig. 3, while Fig. 11 is a view taken along lines of .Fig. 3, certain'parts being not shown for purposes of clarity. Figs. 12 and 13 are taken along lines |2|2 of Fig. 3 and illustrate the operation of the contactor switch the controller casing 2|.

and the pawl and ratchet mechanism. Figs. 14

and 15 are sections taken along lines .|4--l4 of Fig. 3 and illustrate the interlock between the speed control and the direction control. Fig. 16 is a view of part of Fig. 15 illustrating the parts in a further position. Fig. 17 is a perspective view of a portion of my controller illustrating the construction of the sleeves which carry the moving contacts of the direction and' speed controllers. the interlocking means between the two controllers, and the pawl and ratchet mechanism for controlling the speed controller sleeve.- Fig.

18 is a preferred wiring diagram of my controller Figs. 19 and 20 are respectively a front view and a partial section through one of the stationary portions of my direction'controller, while Figs. 21 and 22 are corresponding views of one of the stationary portions of my speed controller.

Referring now more'particularly to the drawings, an industrial truck of which my invention is applied is designated by reference numeral III in Figs. 1 and 2. It carries a. direction control pedal II and a speed control pedal I2. A shaft II connects the direction control pedal II with means in-the controller C for operating the controller in a. manner to be described presently. A spring Ila maintains the pedal raised as in Figs. 1 and 2 until depressed by the weight of the trucker's foot. The speed control pedal is connected to rod I4, and is thus maintained in raised position by a spring I5. Through links I6, l1, l8 and Na, rod l4 and pedal I2 are connected to the speed controller portion of my controller C for operating it in a manner to be described. For additionally operating the controller. I use a manually operated speed control handle I8 and a manually operated direction con I controller casing 2|, as is probably-best shown in Figs. 3 and 4 taken in connection with Figs.

One of the stationary direction controller portions is shown in Figs. 19 and 20, and is designated by reference numeral 24. There are two of these portions 24, each of which is formed of a plastic molded about extruded copper segments 25, 25a and 25b, that are secured to flat contact strips 26 which traverse the molded body 24. Each of the contact strips 28 is perforated as at 21 for the passage of a securing bolt 28 (Fig. 10) and an insulating sleeve 29 which are adapted to secure the contact strips 26 to suitable conductors 30, 3| and 32. These conductors are in turn connected in predetermined order to a series of terminals 33 carried by the lower side of The molded body 24 is itself formed with bores 34 for the passage of suitable bolts whereby it may be secured to the back of the casing 2|.

In Figs. 21 and 22, I show a molded member 35 carrying a series of contact segments 36, 31. '88, 39 and 40 which are assembled therein in the same manner as the contact segments 25, 25a and 25b of the molded portion 24. As in the case of the direction controller, the speed controller'has two identical portions 35. Each of the c ntact segments 26, 21, 38, 39 and 40 has a contac strip 4| similar to each of the contact strips 28 and similarly heldby a bolt 28a and an insulation sleeve 28a whereby to be connected through suitable conductors and in predetermined order to the series of terminals 33. Each of the molded members 35 is formed with bores 42 for the passage of suitable bolts 43 whereby to secure the molded members 35 to the back of the controller casing H, in the same manner as the molded members of the direction controller.

The construction and mounting of the stationary portions of my controller I consider most important and most effective in the carrying out of my invention, and I shall lay claim thereto in a divisional application.

I shall now describe the sleeve which carries the movable contacts of the direction controller, whereby said movable contacts may be brought into cooperation with the various segments carried by the molded members 24 of the direction controller. This sleeve is probably best shown in Figs. 7 and 17, although it is shown also in several other figures. It is designated by reference numeral 44, and is adapted for free rotation on a longitudinal main shaft 45 carried by my controller. At its left end, the sleeve 44 has secured thereto a star wheel 48 carrying extended ears 4! and having shallow holding or detent notches 48 and a central deep locking notch 49. At its extreme right end, the sleeve 44 carries a plate 50 which carries upper and lower ears corresponding to the ears 4'! and axially aligned therewith. A shaft 52 connects the lower ears 4! and 5| by passing through the bores 41a and Ho therein, as shown in Fig. 3. The shaft 52 has a bolt head 53 at one end thereof and is suitably secured by a pin at the other end thereof. A similar shaft 52- connects the upper cars 41 and 5|.

In Figs. 8 and 9, I show the manner'in which I mount my contacts on each of the shafts 52. In Figs. 8 and 9, I illustrate a pair of contacts used in my speed controller, but the mounting of said contacts is exactly the same as that in l the direction controller. Each of the shafts 52 is slotted as at 53a, as is probably best shown in Fig. 9, whereby to house the ends of a pair of springs 54, each of which has an opposite end 55 pressing on an insulating block 56 which is formed with a pair of side arms 51 for free rotation about the shaft 52 under the pressure of its spring 54. Each insulation block 56 supports a contact brush 58 which is pressed against one of the three contact segments 25, a..and 25b of each molded body 24 of the direction controller, depending on the positioning of the direction controller sleeve 44. The insulation blocks 55 carried on the lower and upper shafts 52 of the direction controller are of 'dentical construction, except that they are in eversed positions. The contact members58 of the direction controller are connected in vertical pairs by conductors 59 to function properly in the controller circuit, as will be hereinafter described. As seen in Fig. 8, the contact brushes 58 of the speed controller are in horizontal connection through conductor 59a.

The controller sleeve 44 extends through the casing 21 of the controller and terminates in a serrated portion 60 (Fig. 7) to which is secured the manually operated handle 20, which has a split sleeve portion 8| (Fig. 5) whereby it may be readily secured through a bolt 52 about the serrations 60, the handle 20 being thereafter able to rotate the sleeve 44 at all times. This rotation is, however, under the control of the direction control pedal H which is secured by the shaft l3 to a link 83, shown in Fig. 5. The link 63 is secured to the serrated extension 64 of a shaft is through means of bolt 66 and a split sleeve 81 formed as a part of said link 63.

The shaft ,65 extends into the controller through the casing 2!, as is best shown in Fig.

6, the inner serrated portion 84 carrying a split sleeve 58 secured thereto -by a bolt 69. The split sleeve '68 is an extension of a cam 10 which extends upwardly to the upper end of the casing, terminating in a fiat portion H having an in tegral lug 12 whereby it is maintained in operative relation to a spring 13 operating between the lug l2 and a similar lug 14 secured to the controller casing 2|.

At this time, it will be well to indicate that the plate 58 at the right hand end of the direction controller sleeve 44 in Fig. 17 which carries the ears 5|, best shown in Fig. 6, has also upwardly and downwardly extending portions which are turned outwardly into lugs 15, which cooperate with the cam III.

In Fig. 6, it will be seen that when cam 18 is in its full line position, which is its position when the direction control pedal H is in its upward raised position,. that is, with the trucker not standing thereon, it will maintain the controller sleeve 44 in its full line position illustrated in Fig. 6. In this position of the parts, the two shafts 52 carrying the upper and lower contact members 58 will be maintained in a neutral position illustrated in Fig. 10. Since the foot pedal II is held-upward by the relatively powerful spring Ila, while spring 13 assists also in the positioning of cam 10, it will be obvious that rotation of controller sleeve 44 by handle 20 will be effectively resisted. If the foot pedal II is now depressed, however, it is quite obvious that the cam portion 'lfi'will' be pulled into its dotted line position illustrated in Fig. 6, against the pressure of spring 13, thereby allowing a rotary movement of the controller sleeve 44 and its lugs 15 into either of the dotted line positions it shown occupied by the lugs.

It will be appreciated that clockwise rotation of controller sleeve 44 by its handle 20 in Fig 6 will now bring the contact members 58 into the forward speed position shown in dot and dash lines in Fig. 10. Counterclockwise movement will bring the contact members into the reverse position illustrated in dot and dash lines in Fig. 10. With the direction controller sleeve 44 in a particular directional position, it is extremely simple for the operator to stop the truck by simply taking his foot off the pedal II. The springs H0: and I3 will act on cam in, moving the cam to its full line position of Fig. 6, the cam I0 through lugs 15, acting to rotate the controller sleeve 44 into its neutral position of Fig. 10. With the direction controller in neutral, the truck cannot move, regardless of the position of the speed controller.

The controller sleeve 44 is controlled also by a pawl 16 spring pressed by a spring 11 into one of the notches 48, 49 of the star wheel 46 of the sleeve 44, in a manner to be described hereinafter.

The speed controller utilizes a sleeve 18 (Fig. 17) similar in many ways to direction controller sleeve ,44. Speed controller sleeve 18 carries a right end plate 19 formed with a single ear 88 and a left hand plate 8| carrying a single car 82. The ears 8!] and 82 carry a shaft 52, which in turn carries contact brushes or members 58 supported exactly like those shown in Fig. 8 and described in connection with the operation of the direction controller. These contact members 58 relation of the parts is -tion controller sleeve in cooperate of course with the speed controller segments 86-48, as will be described hereinafter.

The right hand plate 18 of the sleeve 18 has riveted thereto as by rivets 88 a cam 84 which cooperates with the hook 18, which was described as controlling the star wheel 48 carried by the direction controller sleeve 44. The purpose of this control is to prevent the reversal of. th motor when it is in speed. Thus, it is necessary to lock the direction controller sleeve against movement except when the speed controller is in neutral. In Fig. 17, the sp ed-com troller sleeve 18 is shown in a position-corresponding to neutral, in which position the highpoint 840 of the cam 84 is oppositethe horizontally extending portion 18d of the hooks". Cam portion 84a holds the part 18a of hook" somewhat in raised relation to the notch 48 whenever the speed controller sleeve -18 is in neutral. This probably best shown in Fig. 14. With the parts as there positioned, it will be appreciated that direction controller sleeve '44 may be rotated as in Fig. 15, either to a forward or reverse'position, the forward position being illustrated in full lines in Fig. 15,

- is housed in a notch while the reverse position is illustrated in dotted lines'. The notches 48 to hold the controller positions.

In Fig. 16. the cam 84 is shown rotated to a position corresponding toilrst speed pf the speed controller, thus I the cam'84a considerably below the horizontally extending portion 18a of the hook I8. The hook I8 will now be held by itsv spring 11 fully pr o jected into. the deep, or locking notch 48, in which position of the parts it will be impossible to rotate the sleeve 44 and its contact members. This will have the effect of locking the direcneutral, which is its position in Figs. 14 and 16 when the speed controller sleeve I8 is in any speed position.

While the interlocking relation between the speed and direction controller just described is broadly well known in the art,the feature of the utilization of the'deep notch 48 and the raised cam portion 84 is novel, since because of this construction, it is possible to use the plate 45 with its notch 48 and shallower depressions 48 as a star wheel, while at the same time using the plate 46 as a locking member for the direction sleeve 44. In prior art devices, it has been cooperate sleeve yieldingly in its customary to have a locking device for the di-- rection controller and a star wheel in addition. Referring now back to speed eontrollersleeve with hook s bringing the raised portionv of I8, in Figs. '7 and 1'7, it will be noted that the sleeve I8 is forced onto the serrated portion 85 of the main shaft 45 so as to be rotated together with that shaft. The extreme other end of the shaft 45 extends outwardly of the casingand terminates in a further serrated portion 88, to which is secured the speed handle I8. In the case of speed handle I8, the serrated portion 88 of the shaft is drilled, grooved and screw threaded in the nature of an outwardly extending chuck. so that the entry of a screw threaded stud 81 (Fig. tends to expand the serrated portion 85 against the sleeve portion I8a of the handle I8.

A coiled spring is provided for maintaining the shaft and the speed controller sleeve 18 in a neutral position. This spring is designated by reference numeral 88 in Fig. 5 and has a terminal end 89 secured under a stud 88 carried by an adjusting bolt 8| threaded into a lug 82 integral with the casing of the controller. The other end of the spring 88 terminates at 83, and 84 on the sleeve portion I8a of the handle I8. Because of its mounting between the casing and the sleeve I8a of the handle I8, which is of course integral with the shaft 45. in turn secured to the speed control sleeve I8, the spring 88 will actto maintain'the said sleeve I8 in a neutral position, and will resist the retation of the sleeve from neutral. It will further be understood that the handle I8 is adapted to rotatethe sleeve 18 at all times from a neutral speed to any particular advanced speed position against the opposition of the spring 88.

As is probably best shown in Figs. 4, 7, 12'and 13, the left hand plate" of the sleeve 18 which carries the ear 82, has secured thereto as by rivets, a ratchet plate 85, one of the rivets extending beyond the ratchet plate and terminating in. a head 86. The ratchet plate 85 has a series of teeth 81 cooperating with a pawl 88 pivoted on shaft 88 and spring pressed by a spring I88 into engagement with the teeth.

The rivet head 86 is the means whereby mo-- tion is,imparted to the ratchet plate 85 and therefore to the sleeve 18 by the foot pedal I2, operating through its link connection I8 and I8a with the controller. This operation by pedal I2 is accomplished through a cam member I8I which I shall for convenience call an operator v cant may lubricate the shaft 45, the sleeve portion I82 is threaded for a plug I85 which main- I tains the end thereof closed against the escapeof lubricant. The part of sleeve portion I82 of operator I8I which is outside the casing 2I is,-

serrated at I82d for suitable connection with the link I811. The link I8d is secured about serrations I82a much as handle 28 is secured through its sleeve 8| to serrations 88 of the direction controller sleeve 44. Downward movement of pedal I2 will, through links I8 and I8a, rotate operator I8I on the axis of shaft 45.

The operator I8I when rotated by depression of pedal I2, cooperates with the head 86 of the .rivet carried by ratchet plate 85, as is best seen in Figs; land 12, so as to'move the ratchet plate 85 and therefore the speed controller sleeve I8. This connection is of course a one-way connection, since while the operator I8I will cause the sleeve to move clockwise in Fig. 4, and counterclockwise from its position of Fig. 12 to its full line position in Fig. 13, operator MI is not capable of moving the speed control sleeve 18 in a reverse direction, as when the pedal I2 is al lowed to move upwardly to its position of Figs. 1 and 2, under the influence of spring I5. It will be remembered, however, that the spring 88 described previously tends at all times to maintain the speed controller sleeve I8 in a neutral position illustrated in Fig. 12. Therefore, were no other means provided, the depression of the pedal l2 would act through the operator IIII to move the ratchet plate and the speed controller sleeve I8 to its first speed position illustrated in Fig. 13, while reverse movement of the pedal l2 and operator I8I would simply allow the spring 2,267,381 I 88 to function to return the speed controllersleeve 18 to its neutral position of Fig. 12.

The pawl 88 previously described as cooperating with the ratchet teeth 91 prevents this reverse movement of controller sleeve 18, as is: well illustrated in Fig. 13, wherein the pawl 88 is shown as engaged in the'first tooth. 91 of the ratchet plate 95 holding the-speed controller sleeve 18 in first speed position: As the operator I-I is moved to advance the speed controller into other speeds, it is readily seen that the pawl 98 will enter successive teeth of the ratchet teeth 91 and will prevent the speed controller from moving from one speed position into a less advanced speed position. Similarly, should the speed controller be advanced by handle I9 into an advanced speed position, the pawl '98 would likewise act to prevent return of the controller sleeve 18 to neutral.

The operator I 0| has a function in addition to. the moving of the speed controller through its various speed positions throughthe head 88 of the ratchet plate rivet. 'Thus, it will be observed :hat when the operator IN is in its position 'of Fig. 12, it maintains the pawl 98 in a position which is the same as its dotted line position of Fig. 13; that is, out of the path of any of the teeth 91 .of the ratchet 85. Therefore, while reverse movement of the operator IOI from any position to which it has advancedthe speed controller through ratchet 95 will be independent of that speed controller, once the operator reaches a position corresponding to its full line position of Fig. 12 and its dotted line position in Fig. 13, it will move the pawl 98 in the direction of the arrow 98a in Fig. 13 and out of contact with a particular tooth 01 of the ratchet plate 95.

This will immediately allow spring 88 to return the speed controller sleeve 18 to its neutral position illustrated in Fig. 12, and also shown in Figs. 4 and 11'. Because of this construction, it is readily perceived that when the speed controller is foot or hand operated, it is advanced from one speed position to another. and that it is impossible to return the controller from any advanced speed position to a lesser ,advanced speed position without releasing the controller for movement back into its neutral position by withdrawing pawl 98 from ratchet teeth 91. This can only be done by upward movement of the pedal I2 and the resulting movement of operator I 0|. Also, regardless of the speed position to which the speed controller sleeve 18 is moved, upward movement of the pedal I2 will release the sleeve for movement to neutral, this contributing a valuable control feature. as those skilled in the art will appreciate.

Should the truck operator, where manual control by a handle I9 is provided, obstruct the action of the spring 88 by holding handle I9 when the pawl 98 is released from the teeth 91, the speed controller sleeve 18 will not return to neutral position. I have incorporated in my controller mechanism, means whereby this holding will not prevent the controller from breaking the motor circuit. In addition, these means make it necessary to move the sleeve 18 to neutral position once operator IOI has been allowed to move back to the position of Fig. 12, if the controller is to function to advance themotor through its .various speeds.

The mechanism for requiring a return of the speed controller sleeve 18 to its neutral or first gpeed position prior to its advancement through the several speeds, is associated with a contactor circuit for preventing, arcing between the movable contact members 58 carried by speed controller sleeve 18 and the stationary segment contacts 36-40 of the molded insulation members 35 of Figs. 21 and 22. This contactor circuit is.

also controlled by the operator I M, as will now be described before the said mechanism is described.

As is probably best illustrated in Figs. 12 and 13, the operator IOI when moved from the position of Fig. 12 to the full line position of Fig. 13 not only moves theratchet and its speed con trolled sleeve 18 into the first speedfull line position of Fig. 13. but also moves a switch lever I06 from the position of Fig. 12 to the full line position of Fig. 13. This movement of the switch lever I06 releases contact pin I01 for movement from the position of Fig. 12 to the position of Fig. 13 under the influence of arr appropriate spring I08 shown in Fig. 18. This movement closes a circuit through the switch I 08. The operation of switch I and spring I 08 isshown only diagrammatically, since any switch which will close a circuit upon movement of operator IN to its full line position of Fig. 13, wil1 readily contribute the results I desire.

It is important to note. that the relation of the operator IN to the rivet head 96 of the ratchet plate 95 and the switch lever I06, is such that operator IOI will first move the ratchet plate 95 and controller sleeve 18 to the first speed position of Fig. 13, and will then, while sleeve 18 is in first speed-position, move the, lever I06 sufficiently to cause a closing of the circuit through switch I 08.

In Fig. 18, I show the contact brush members 58 over the first speed segments 31, while the switch lever I06 is held by operator IM me position to permit a closing of the circuit at I 08. The speed circuit through contacts 31 and 58, and for that matter every other speed circuit, is so designed that it is essential that the switch I08 be closed in order that any speed circuit be closed. Therefore, since contact is first made by contact members 58 and 31, and only thereafter is the-switch I08 closed, it is readily seen that no arcing will occur between the contacts 58 and 31 at the time that those contacts touch. It is the contacts of the contactor circuit later closed through the closing of switch I08 which absorb the arcing. I v I In order to insure that no arcing willtake place when contacts 58 move away from contact segments 31 in moving to a neutral position over the segments 36, I arrange for operator IN to release the switch lever I06 for movement by its relatively powerful spring I08a into position to open the circuit at I08 just prior to the moment that the pawl 08 is released from out of engagement with a particular one of the teeth 91 of the ratchet plate 95.- Therefore, the contactor circuit of which the switch I 08 is a part. is

broken prior to the movement of the contacts 58 from the contact segments 31, so that there is no current flowing between the contacts 58 and 31 when they separate, this of course eliminating any possibility of arcing therebetween.

I shall now refer more particularly to Fig. 18 to show just how my controller is wired to compel the return of the contacts 58 to first speed position prior to movement to any advanced speed position once the contacts are released by movement of pawl '98 out of ratchetteeth 91 by the switch I08 is open, but further movement of the operator IOI while the contacts 58 are still over the segments 81 will cause the closing of the switch I08, as is best illustrated in Fig. 18. This will close a circuit from the positive side of the line at II- through conductor III, contacts 8! and 58, through conductor 59a connecting the contacts 58, thence through conductor H2, H3, III, switch I 08, contactor relay II to the minus side of the line at I I 8.

The excitation of the contactor relay II5 will cause its armature 'I II to move upwardly, closing a circuit between the points II 8. At the same time. a second armature II9 operated by the contactor relay II5 will close a circuit across the points I20. As soon as the contacts l ,are bridged by the armature II9, a circuit will be closed through conductor' IIO, conductor I2I, armature II9, contacts I20, conductor I I4, switch I08, relay H5 and conductor Hi to the negative side of the line.

This will mean that the circuit of the contactor relay II5 will be closed independently of the controller contacts 3'I-a-nd 58, so that the movable contacts 58 may proceed to positions over the advanced speed contact segment 38, 89 and without disturbing the circuit of the contactor relay H5, and therefore without opening the circuit closed by armature I I1 through contacts I I8.

The closing of the circuit at I I8, II'I allows for a flow 'of electricity as follows: Through the conductor IIO, the entire traction resistance I22, conductor I23, through the field coils I28 of motor M and armature I25, a may. be determined by the placing of the contacts 58 of the direction controller, through the conductor I28, I 21, the contacts II 8 and armature III to the negative side of the line at I I 8. Since all of the traction resistance I22 is at this point placed inthe motor circuit, the motor will naturally operate in first speed, which is the speed corresponding to contact segments 31.

Should the speed contacts 58 now be placed relay 5 is immediately broken, thus breaking the circuit through armature I I8 and contacts I I! which thus shuts off the flow of electric current through the motor. Simultaneously, the circuit through armature H9 and contacts I20 is opened so that the circuit through the contactor circuit at this point is also broken. It will now be appreciated that it is impossible to close the circuit through the contactor relay II5 once again ex cept through the stationary segments 31 of the speed portion of my controller.

Therefore, in order to put the motor of the truck into any one of its speeds once the operator IOI has been moved to release the speed con-- troller for reverse movement, it is necessary to bring the contacts 58 of the speed controller into the position shown in Fig. 18; that is, to a first speed 'position. In view of this, regardless of what control is exercised over the speed controller, it is absolutely essential when wishing to go from an advanced speed to a less advanced speed, to put the motor into first speed and go through the speeds. This feature is of extreme importance, and it is thought it .has now been preciated by those "skilled in electrical art's.

. Since the contactor relay II 5 acts quite slowly over the contacts 39 corresponding to third speed, I

fiow of current will be as follows: Through contacts IIO, contact segments 39, as bridged by movable contacts 58, conductor I28 to contact point I29, thence through a small portion of the traction resistance I22 and the conductor I23, I

stationary segments 39 as just described, should it be desired to go back into second speed corresponding to the contact segments 88, it will be necessary to release the pawl 98 from' a suitable one of ratchet teeth 91, since otherwise the ratchet plate secured to the speed controller sleeve I8 which carries the contacts 58 cannot move in a backward direction as has already been indicated.

When the operator IOI is moved to a position to release the pawl 98 from the teeth 91, it first allows the switch lever I08 to open the contactor circuit at I08. Once this is done, it is readily perceived that the circuit through the contactor and therefore will take some definite period of excitation prior to pulling its armature II9 into position to close its own circuit through the contacts no, it wm be understood that the contacts 1 58 must remain in first speed a sufficient period of time to allow for the contactor relay II5 to act to close its circuit at II9, I20.

This immediately slows down the operation of the movable contacts 58, since if they are moved too rapidly through first speed segments 31, contactor relay II5 will not act, and when the movable contacts 58 leave the contacts 31, .the circuit through relay I I5 will not be made at H9, I20 and the circuit of the motor at H1, H8 will be open. Thus, by a very simple expedient, which is a very important part of my invention, I make it impossible to move the contacts 58 rapidly through first speed, while also obtaining a non-arcing effect. The advantages of this action will of course be understood by those skilled in the art.

An important feature of my invention resides in the use of contacts 38 with which the movable contacts 58 of the speed controller cooperate when the speed controller is in neutral position. Depending upon the direction of movement of the truck down a hill, if the direction controller is maintained in a particular directional position. for example, a forward direction such as shown in Fig. 18, while the speed controller is in neutral with its movable contacts over segments 38, a circuit will be closed as follows: Through contacts 38 because of the coaction of the movable contacts 58 and conductor 59a, through the convductor I30, binding post I3I, conductor I32,

through a portion of the resistance I22 which may be varied by the placing of the post I38 at 2,267,881 some point otherthan where it is placed, conductor I28, through the motor I25 and field coils I24 which act as a generator, conductor I28, conductor I34, back to contacts 88. It will therefore ,which will be forced through a certain portion of the traction resistance I22, thus causing the motor to act as a brake for the truck; that is, a regenerative brake, as will be understood by those skilled in the art.

I believe that the operation of my controller will now be quite clear to those skilled in the art, but it may be well to review its operation by going through an operative cycle, as follows: When it is desiredto move the truck in a forward direction, it is first necessary to place the speed controller in neutral, thus bringing the cam 84 shown in Fig. 17, into position with its portion 84a holding the pawl 16 partially out of the deep notch 48, as is illustrated in Fig. 14, it being thereafter possible to rotate the direction con troller to its position of Fig. 18, which is it forward position illustrated in Fig. 15.

. Since the movement of the direction controller to the forward positions of Figs. 15 and 18 is resisted by the very powerful spring 13 acting on the cam 18, as is probably best illustrated in Fig.

6, the trucker will step on the pedal II, which, through the link 83 of Fig. 5 will rotate the shaft 65, moving cam 10 to its dotted line position of Fig. 6 against the action of spring 13, with- IN moves the speed controller into first speed position, the switch I88 is open and no speed circuit is closed through first speed segments 31. Further movement of the operator IIlI as to the position of Fig. 18 allows a closing of the circuit at switch I88 by depression of switch lever I86, which closes the circuit through the contactor relay I I5, whichcloses the circuit including contacts 31, 58 through the motor M at I I1, I I8, thus preventing any arcing through contacts 31 and 58. Similarly, upon upward movement of the operator IOI to release the controller sleeve 18 from pawl 88 for movement to a neutral position, the circuit through the contactor relay H5 is broken at I08 before contacts 58 leave segments 31, so that the motor circuit is first broken at H1, H8, thus preventing any arcing through contacts 58 and 31.

Also, when it is desired to go from an advanced speed position to a lower speed, it is always necessary to move the pawl 88 from the teeth 91, which movement may only be brought about by an opening of the circuit through the contactor relay H5, thus causing the breaking-of the conductor circuit through its armature H9 and contact points I28. Since the contactor circuit may never be re-established except through the placing of contacts 58 over contact segments 31, the speed controller must be placed in first speed position before it may be advanced through the speeds. In addition, the contactor relay II5 operates so slowly to establishits own circuit at H8, I28 that movement through first speed segments 81 must be quite slow.

This description of the operation of my invention following upon the detailed description ofthe construction of my controller and the general description of my controller, should make vance the speed controller to aparticular speed I position, and this is done by the depression of the foot pedal I2. Where the operation is to be entirely by the foot pedal, the linkage between the foot pedal and the operator IIII is so ar-- ranged that the depression of the foot pedal will move the operator IIlI so as to advance the speed controller sleeve 18 through headed rivet 86 and ratchet plate 95 through all of its speed positions. When desired, the foot pedal I2-may be arranged to move the operator IIII a sufficient distance to bring the speed controller only to first speed or second speed position, the manual means comprising handle I9 Ming relied upon thereafter. At all times, the spring 88 will tend to move the handle I9 and the speed controller 18 into neutral position.

Regardless of whether the operator 'I8I or handle I8 are used to move the speed controller through all of its speed positions, it will be appreciated that the pawl 98 will prevent movement of the speed controller sleeve from an advanced speed position to a less advanced speed position until the operator IN is returned to the position of Fig. 12 moving the pawl 98 out of contact with the ratchet teeth '91 of the ratchet plate 85.

the invention appear quite clear to those skilled in the art.

I now claim: v

1. In a combination of the class described, a motor, a contact member movable from a neutral to an advanced speed position whereby to control the speed of said motor, a contactor circuit the closing of which is a prerequisite to the closing of the speed circuits of said motor by said contact member, detent means for locking said contact member against return from an advanced speed, position to said neutral position while allowing free movement thereof to advanced speed positions, release means adapted to move said detent means out of locking position to permit return movement of said contact me'mto different speeds of said motor, contacts for said circuits, a contact member movable from a neutral position relatively to said contacts for closing said speed circuits, detent means for locking said contact member against return movement from an advanced speed circuit closing position to a less advanced speed circuit closing position, a contactor circuit including the first speed contacts and the closing of which contactor circuit is a prerequisite to the closing of any speed circuit', means whereby said contactor circuit remains closed when said'contact member moves It will be understood that when the operator away from said first speed contacts, means for moving said detent means to release said contact member for movement from an advanced speed circuit closing position to a less advanced speed circuit closing position, and means whereby said contactor circuit is openedprior to the moving of said detent means to release said contact member for said movement, the return of said contact member to first speed position being thereafter a prerequisite to the closing of said contactor circuit thereafter.

3. In a combination of the class described, a motor, a series of motorcircuits corresponding to different speeds of said motor, a rotatable contact member movable through a path to close said circuits, an operator for rotating said contact member, a one way connection betweensaid operator and said contact member whereby said operator rotates said contact member from a neutral to an advanced speed position, said one way connection permitting movement of said operator back to a position corresponding to a predetermined speed'independently of said contact member, spring means for returning said contact member to a predetermined speed independently of said operator, a ratchet secured to said contact member, a pawl cooperable withsaid ratchet for preventing movement of said contact member from an advanced speed position to a less advanced speed position, and means whereby said operator moves said pawl to release said ratchet when said operator returns to said predetermined position.

i. In a combination of the class described, a motor, a rotatable contact member movable through a path to close a series of speed circuits corresponding to different speeds of said motor,-

an operator for rotating said contact member, a one way connection between said operator and said contact member whereby said operator rotates said contact member through said different speed circuits when itself moving in one direction, the said means of connection permitting return movement of said operator in a reverse direction independently of said contact member, contactor means whereby the then closed speed circuit of said contact member is broken by movement of said operator in said reverse direction, detent means for holding said contact member in any speed position to which it is advanced, and means for releasing said contactmember from said detent means and for returning said contact member to neutral position when said speed circuit is opened by said movement of the opera tor in said reverse direction.

5. In a combination of the class described, a motor, a contact member movable from a neutral positionthrough a series of positions for closing several graduated speed circuits of said motor, an operator for'moving said contact member, means of connection between said operator and said contact member whereby said operator so moves said contact member when itself moved in one direction, while allowing reverse movement of said operator independently of said contact member, means for'moving said contact member in a reverse direction independently of said operator, detent means for locking said contact member against reverse movement from an advanced speed circuit closing position to a less advanced speed circuit closing position when said operator is moved reversely, a contactor circuit the closing of which is a prerequisite to the closing of any speed circuit, means whereby said operator when moved reversely moves said detent means to release said contact member for movement from an advanced speed circuit closing position to a less advanced speed circuit closing position, and means whereby said contactor circuit is opened by said operator prior to the moving of said detent means to release said contact member for said movement.

6. In a combination of the class described, a motor, a movable contact member, a manually operated lever for advancing said controller from a neutral position to an advanced speed position whereby to control the speed of said motor, spring means tending at all times to return said movable contact member to a neutral position,

pawl and ratchet mechanism for preventing the return of said movable contact member to neutral, a foot operated treadle, treadle operated means whereby when said foot operated treadle is in raised position said pawl and ratchet means will be disengaged and said spring means will return said movable contact member to neutral, said treadle operated means being movable when said treadle is depressed to allow engagement oi said pawl and ratchet means to hold said movable contact member in its speed positions, means of connection between said foot operated treadle and said movable contact member whereby depression of said foot operated treadle also moves said movable contact member from neutral to its advanced speed positions, a contactor circuit the closing of which is a prerequisite to the closing of any of said speed circuits, and a switch for said circuit closed by the depression of the Ioot operated treadle.

7. In a combination of the class described, a motor, a movable contact member, a manually operated lever for advancing said contact member from a neutral position to an advanced speed position whereby to control the speed of said motor, spring means tending at all times to return said movable contact member to a neutral position, pawl and ratchet mechanism for preventing the return of said movable contact member to neutral, a foot operated treadle, treadle operated means whereby when said foot operated treadle is in raised position said pawl and ratchet means will be disengaged and-said spring means will return said movable contact member to neutral, said treadle operated means being movable when said treadle is depressed to allow engagement of said pawl and ratchet means to hold said movable contact means in its speed positions, a contactor circuit the closing of which is a prerequisite tothe closing of any 01' said speed circuits, and a switch for said contactor circuit closed when said foot operated treadle is moved to a predetermined depressed position.

8. In a combination or the class described, a motor, a movable contact member, a manually operated lever for advancing said contact member from a neutral position to an advanced speed position whereby to control the speed of said motor, pawl and ratchet mechanism for preventing'a reverse movement of said movable contact member, a foot operated treadle, means whereby lifting of said foot operated treadle releases said pawl and ratchet to allow reverse movement of connection with said contact member for rotating said contact member from neutral to an advanced speed position, means whereby the return -to a prerequisite to the return or said contact member from said advanced speed position, a contactor switch for said speed circuits, means whereby said operator effects the closing of said contactor switch immediately after said rotatable contact member closes its first speed circuit and while said first speed circuit remains closed, the said operator opening said conductor circuit upon its return movement to a predetermined speed position in advance of the return of said contact member from its advanced speed position.

10..In a combination of the class described, a.

, member to a predetermined, speed position inde-- pendently of said operator, a detent for holding said contact member against said return movement, means whereby said detent is released by said operator when said operator returns to said predetermined position, a contactor switch for the said speed circuits, and means whereby said contactor switch is opened by said operator prior to the release or said detent, f

11. In a combinationof the class described, a motor having a series of speed circuits, 9. rotatable contact member movable through a path of close said circuits whereby to control the speed of said motor, an operator for rotating said contact member, a one way connection between saidoperator and said contact member whereby said operator rotates said contact member through said difierent speed circuits when itself moving in one direction, the said means or connection permittin movement of said operator in a reverse direction independently of said contact member, means for moving said contact member in a reverse direction independently of said operatoi', a detent for preventing said reverse movement of said contact member, said detent being movable to release said contact member when said operator returns to a predetermined position, a contactor circuit for controlling said speed circuits, and means whereby said contactor circuit is opened by said operator just prior to its moving the said detent to release said contact member.

12. In a combination of the class described, a motor having a series of speed circuits, a rotatable contact member movable through a path to close said circuits whereby to control the speed of said motor, an operator for rotating said contact member, a one way connection between said operator and said contact member whereby said operator rotates said contact .member through said. different speed circuits when itself moving in one direction, the said means of connection permitting movement of said operator in a reverse direction independently of said contact member, means for movingsaid contact member in a reverse direction independently of said operator, a detent for preventing said reverse movement of said contactmember, means whereby said detent releases said contact member when said operator returns to a predetermined position, a foot operated pedal for actuating said operator, and a manually operated lever connected to said contact member for rotating it to an advanced speed position while said operator remains in a predetermined speed position.

13. In a combination of the class described, a motor having a series of speed circuits, a rotatable contact member movabie through a path to close said circuits whereby to control the speed of said motor, an operator having a one way connection with said contact member for rotating said contact'member from neutral to an advanced speed position, means whereby the return of said operator from an advanced speed position to a predetermined positionwhile said contact member remains in saidadvanced speed position is a prerequisite to the return of said contact member from said advanced speed position, a

'eiiects the closing of said contactor switch immediately after said rotatable contact member closes its first speed circuit and while said first speed circuit remains closed, the said operator opening said contactor circuit upon its return movement to said predetermined position in advance of the return of said contact member from its advanced speed position, a foot operated pedal for actuating said operator, and a manually operated lever connected to said contact member for rotating it to an advanced speed position while said operator remains in a predetermined speed position. 1

' 14. In a combination of the class described, a motor having a series of speed circuits, a movable contact member for closing said speed circuits, a manually operated lever for advancing said contact member from a neutral position to an advanced speed circuit closing position, means for returning said contact member to neutral position, pawl and ratchet mechanism for preventing a return movement of said movable contact member, a foot operated treadle havin a one way connection with said movable contact member for advancing said contact member, and means whereby the return movement of said treadle actuates said pawl and ratchet means to allow return movement of said contact member.

15. In a combination of the class described, a motor having a series of speed circuits, a movable contact member, a manually operated lever for advancing said contact member from a neutral position to an advanced speed circuit closing position, spring means tending at'all times to return said movable contact member to a neutral position, pawl and ratchet mechanism for preventing the return of said movable contact member to neutral, a iootoperated treadle, treadle operated means whereby when said foot operated means will be disengaged and said spring means will return said movable contact member to'neutral, a contactor switch for said speed circuits maintained open when said treadle is in raised position, said treadle operated means being movable when said treadle is depressed to allow engagement of said pawl and ratchet means to hold said movable contact means in its speed positions 1 O and to effect the closing of the said contactor switch.

16. In a combination of the class described, a motor having a series oi speed circuits, a movable contact member, a manually operated lever for advancing said contact member iromaneutral position to an advanced speed circuit closing position, spring means tending at all times to return said movable contact member to aneutral position, a

, treadle and said movable contact member whereby depression of said foot operated 'treadle also moves said movable contact member from neutral to advanced speed positions.

17. In a combination of the class described, a

motor having a series of speed circuits, a rotary contact member rotatable from a neutral position to an advanced speed circuit closing position,

a spring tending at all times to return said contact member to neutral position from any .ad-,

vanced speed position, a pawl and ratchet engaged to maintain said rotary contact member against movement backward from any advanced speed position, an operator having a one'way connection with said rotatable contact member'whereby forward movement of said operator rotates said contact member to an advanced speed position while permitting said operator to move backwardlyrelatively to said rotatable contact member when said contact member is held a'gainst backward movement, means whereby when said operator moves backwardly to a predetermined position it disengdges said pawl 1mm said ratchet to allow said spring to return said rotatable contact member to neutral position, a contactor switch, and means whereby it is closed when said operator is moved forwardly a distance suilicient to move'said rotary contact member to first speed and is opened just prior to the release of the pawl and ratchet mechanism by the backward movement of said operator.

18. In a combination of the class described, a motor having a series of speed circuits and contacts through which said circuits are closed, a rotatable contact member having contacts and movable relatively to said speed circuit contacts to close said speed circuits, an electromagnetic contactor, a switch for said speed circuits closed upon excitation of said electromagnetic contactor, a circuit for said electromagnetic contactor including the first speed contacts, means whereby the said contactor circuit is established independently of said first speed contacts once said contactor is properly excited by the closing of said first speed circuit, said means maintaining said contactor circuit closed while said contact member rotates into advanced speed circuit closing positions, said means having a predetermined inertia whereby the contactor circuit through said first speed contacts must remain closed a predetermined interval in order that said means function to close the contactor ctrcuit independently of said first speed contacts, whereby a fast movement of said rotatable contacts through said first speed will be ineiiective to close said contactor circuit.

19. In a combination or the class described, a motor having a series of speed circuits, movable and stationary contacts arranged so that said movable contacts when moved relatively to said stationary contacts close said speed circuits, an electromagnetic relay, a control switch for said speed circuits maintained'closed when said electromagnetic relay is excited, a circuit for said whereby to require the maintenance at said circuit through said.certain movable and stationary contacts for at least said predetermined period prior to,the moving of said contacts to close more advanced speed circuits.

20. In a combination of the class described, an electric motor having aseries of speed circuits including contacts, a rotatable contact member movable relatively to said contacts to close said speed circuits,- a controlling circuit the closing of which is a prerequisite to the closing of said speed circuits, said controlling circuit including the contacts which are bridged in the first speed position 01' said rotatable contact member and a control switch, an operator for moving the rotatable contact member tofirst speed position and adapted thereafter to eflect the closing of said control switch, whereby said controlling circuit is closed immediately after said contact -member is moved into first speed circuit closing position, means actuated upon closing of said controlling circuit for closing said circuit independently or said contacts so as to maintain said controlling circuit closed when said rotatable contact member is moved by said operator away from said contacts toward advanced speed circuit closing position, said means having predetermined inertia whereby the controlling circuit through said contacts must remain closed a predetermined interval in order that said means function to close the controlling circuit and thereby allow the closing of advanced speed circuits by the further movement of said contact member, the movement of said operator in a direction reverse to that in which it moves said contact member into advanced speed circuit closing positions, opening said control switch prior to the reverse movement of said rotatable contact member out of the first speed circuit closing position.

21. In a combination of the class described, an electric motor having a series of speed circuits, a rotatable contact member movable through a path to close successively said speed circuits, an operator for rotating said contact member, a one 'way connection between said operator and said contact member whereby said operator rotates said contact member through said different speed circuit closing positions when itself moving in one direction, the said means of connection permitting movement of said operator in a reverse direction independently of said contact member, means for moving said contact member in a reverse direction independently of said oper- 

